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Naples, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Lee & Collier Counties
Wind
Mitigation Inspection
The State of Florida REQUIRES
insurance companies to offer REDUCED
RATES for certain wind mitigation features. We specialize
in inspections for the insurance industry (wind mitigation inspection/4-point
inspection). Let our professional staff help you lower your windstorm
premiums. By simply contacting us, we can determine whether or not you
are eligible for wind mitigation discounts that can save your up to 50% off your
insurance.
Frequently Asked
Questions
Why are
insurance companies offering discounts?
The state
legislation adopted provisions for a new statewide building code (the
2001 Florida Building Code), which became effective on March 1, 2002. The
same legislation included a requirement for insurance companies to
provide property insurance discounts for homes that have construction
features that reduce the losses in windstorms. Each insurance company was
required to submit new rates by February 28, 2003 and include discounts
for wind damage reduction (mitigation) construction features.
The discounts are
justified because stronger, more wind-resistive houses have lower
windstorm losses, and lower windstorm losses means reduced costs to
insurance companies. The insurance discounts provide some financial
incentives for homeowners to strengthen their existing homes and for new
construction to be built to the strongest options in the Florida Building
Code. These new insurance rate discounts in Florida begin to take place
in 2003. They apply to both existing construction (houses built prior to
2002) and new construction built to the new statewide Florida Building
Code (FBC).
To qualify for
these discounts, most insurance companies require a certification of the
key construction features.
Why are insurance companies
offering discounts?
The state legislation adopted
provisions for a new statewide building code (the 2001 Florida Building
Code), which became effective on March 1, 2002. The same legislation included
a requirement for insurance companies to provide property insurance
discounts for homes that have construction features that reduce the
losses in windstorms. Each insurance company was required to submit new
rates by February 28, 2003 and include discounts for wind damage
reduction (mitigation) construction features.
discounts are justified
because stronger, more wind-resistive houses have lower windstorm losses,
and lower windstorm losses means reduced costs to insurance companies.
The insurance discounts provide some financial incentives for homeowners
to strengthen their existing homes and for new construction to be built
to the strongest options in the Florida Building Code. These new
insurance rate discounts in Florida begin to take place in 2003. They
apply to both existing construction (houses built prior to 2002) and new
construction built to the new statewide Florida Building Code (FBC).
To qualify for these discounts,
most insurance companies require a certification of the key construction
features.
What
construction features qualify for discounts?
The following
figure shows typical features that reduce wind damage. Over 90% of
existing houses have one or more of these wind resistive construction
features and may qualify for some insurance discounts. In addition,
houses built after 1994 in Miami-Dade or Broward Counties and houses
built after 2002 in the rest of the state generally have many wind
resistive construction features and will likely qualify for significant
credits.
The following
items are building features that reduce wind damage for which many
insurance companies offer wind premium discounts. To learn more about
each of these categories, click on the highlighted portion of the text.
1. Roof coverings, such as shingles that meet the FBC
Requirements.
2. Roof decks that have been installed with large nails
and close spacing.
3. Hurricane clips/straps that hold the roof structure to the
walls.
4. Protection of Openings such as windows and glass doors with
impact resistant glazing or other protection systems.
5. Secondary
Water Resistance that prevents the roof from leaking if the roof covering is
blown off in a windstorm.
6. Newly Constructed Homes built to the
Florida Building Code since March 1, 2002
7. Homes built to the South Florida Building
Code in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties after 1994.
What is the
value of the Insurance Discounts?
The dollar value
of the discounts depends on three primary factors.
1. The number of wind resistive construction
features present on your home - Some individual features may qualify for 10% discount and
others only a few percent. The more wind resistive features you have, the
higher total discount will be. The discounts can be as high as 30% or
more of the wind portion of the insurance premium. (The portion of your
premium that is for wind losses is provided on your policy declaration
page).
2. The location of your home - Wind insurance rates vary by location
within the state. If your wind insurance rates are high, then the
percentage discounts will result in more dollars for a house in a high
rate area versus the same house in a lower rate area.
3. The value of your home - Discounts are calculated as a
percentage of the wind premium for your specific home. High value homes
have higher premiums, hence, the dollar value of
the discounts will increase as the value of the home increases.
Contact your
insurance agent or company to determine the potential value of the
discounts for your house.
What is the value of the Insurance
Discounts?
Contact your insurance agent or
company to determine the potential value of the discounts for your house.
How is a Wind
Certification Survey Conducted?
At the scheduled
time, the inspector will arrive on site and complete the survey. As part
of the survey, the surveyor will also conduct a survey of the attic and
use a device to identify the roof deck attachment pattern, framing
details, and roof-wall connection.
The results of the
survey are forwarded to our main office for processing.
- Completed forms for you
to submit to your insurance company to qualify your home for
insurance discounts for any of the wind resistance features that are
on your home are forwarded to you via e-mail or regular mail.
Typically, it is
the homeowner responsibility to forward these papers to their agent or
company.
How is a Wind Certification
Survey Conducted?
At the scheduled time, the
inspector will arrive on site and complete the survey. As part of the
survey, the surveyor will also conduct a survey of the attic and use a
device to identify the roof deck attachment pattern, framing details, and
roof-wall connection.
results of the survey are
forwarded to our main office for processing.
How much is a
Wind Certification Survey?
For houses with
less than 5000 square feet (under roof), the cost of a survey is $150. The
cost increases for larger houses.
How much is a Wind
Certification Survey?
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Living Space of Building
|
Cost
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0- 4999 square
feet
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$150
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5000 - 9999
square feet
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$255
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10000 square
feet and more
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$300
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The surveyor will verify square
footage to confirm fee. Schedule Your
Wind Mitigation Inspection
A Wind Mitigation Inspection is a valuable inspection
service that may reduce your windstorm insurance. Wind Insurance
discounts are available for building features that reduce damage during
high wind events. The Wind Mitigation discounts are justified because
stronger, more wind-resistive structures have lower windstorm losses,
which mean reduced cost to insurance companies. Most existing structures
have one or more wind resistive construction features and may qualify for
some Wind Mitigation discounts.
Wind Mitigation Inspections are available for all single
family homes, townhouses, condos and commercial buildings. Homeowner's
and condo associations also qualify for wind mitigation credits. Call
your Home Owners Insurance Company to see if a Wind Mitigation Inspection
would be recommended.
>> Request a Wind Mitigation Inspection
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